Young People Who Like Modified Cars Take Note!

[kpowell911]

When I was 16 I always wanted to get my car into a magazine like Redline/Max Power etc. I started working at a local Supermarket working 15 hours a week to save up for modifying my first car, Didnt know what car, but All i know is it was going to be modified. As I got older, My hours increased, and so did my wages, So I saved upa bit more each month. I dont smoke, and at this point, didnt drink much, So id say a good 80% of my expendable Income was going in my savings account.

I was lucky (some would say spoilt) When I Was a little baby, Mummy and Daddy set up a savings fund for me. When I was 17, I would get a £4,000 payout. I used this to buy a very nice 1999 Clio 1.2RN, In Gold, With 18" Wheels. It was owned by a friend, Was a very nice car. DEspite the fact I didnt even have my license, I started Ploughing my savings into it. Lexus Lights, New 17" Wheels, Lowered Suspension, Window Tints, Exhausts, Induction Kit and a £3,500 Stereo System. Bear In mind I still didnt have a license. Anyway, In my opinion, It looked great, But I had no savings left any more

Anyway, 11 months later, I passed, So I could finally Drive my pride and joy! But that meant declaring all my mods to the insurance company and paying £2700 a year, But I didnt care! Bear in mind I was only earning £900 a month at this point. Anyway, All my mates were off up the town, getting pissed, pulling slags, and I couldnt go cause I was spending all my money on my Clio. 1 Year passed a few mods changed, Carbon bonnet, Angel eyes, New System. My insurance had gone down to about £1300 now, So I could start affording to go up town etc etc. However, A taxi decided to crash into me.

Armed with my payout from my insurance, I decided to make the biggest mistake of my life, and spend £6,900 on a bodykit! Some of it was savings, some of it was a loan, But when you take int oaccount i didnt have a car for 8 months and transport etc etc, I;d imagine the bodykit cost me £7500.

Anyway, I think it looked cool, some may agree, some may not, you have all saw it but:

It was great fun, everyone looks at you, magazines email you etc etc, Great fun. However, you also get Vandals, People racing you, Police hassle, you have to ask is it worth, but My pride carried me on.

Anway, Being very low, and being Fibreglass, and being as its not as strong a "normal" car, it lasted about 6 months before it needed to have ALOT of work spending on it (touch ups, minor cracks filling etc). Also becuase I started with a 1.2 RN (the lowest model ever) I had a 1.2 8v engine with 80k on, and all hat fancy bodywork and wind down windows!

I could convert all the engine to a 2.0 set up, even fit a whole sport interior, but there has came a time in my life when I'm thinking.

WHY f**king BOTHER!

To sum this story up, I'm now driving a 1.1 Metro Kensington (that owes me £1015 INCLUDING purchase, tax, mot, service AND INSURE), whilst the clio is sitting on my drive with a Broken engine and clutch cable, and an attrocious looking paint job! On the flip side, If I hadn't bothered "doing up" the clio up, I'd have about £15k in my bank account, no debt, and I'd be in the position now to buy a proper car OUT RIGHT. No Finance, No Loans, I'm talking buying something "proper" Like for example a Clio 182 CASH and Insuring it CASH at the age of 20.

Oh how different my life could have been. However, I'm much happier in the Metro I'm just a few years behind now, I'll be back.

So to summarise, Dont modify base models ata young age. Learn from my mistakes.

 

[Da]

lol, good post mate and chin up Got to say tho we've all been there and knew where you were heading

 

[$torm Rider]

So true, Ive spend £1000's on my Dynamique over the years and tbh its not even worth it. I could have saved up and got myself a much faster, classier car. Its going to take a little while longer now.

Im just glad I didnt go the whole hog and get a custom wide arch kit made up from my mate. He was in the process of fabricating it when i pulled out. I can only imagine the problems I would of had having a front cover car as my daily driver, not to mention the extra £1000's I would have wasted to get it featured....

 

[Bradharding]

Good thread that mate. Hope some people read and learn from your experience. Lots of people have been there but at the end of the day you throw away a lot of money and don't increase the value of the car.

 

[Turkish]

Good post, should be a sticky so we can just point those with their "should i" threads in the direction of it so they dont have to learn the hard and expensive way that you did fella.

 

[cliobritt]

When I was 16 I always wanted to get my car into a magazine like Redline/Max Power etc. I started working at a local Supermarket working 15 hours a week to save up for modifying my first car, Didnt know what car, but All i know is it was going to be modified. As I got older, My hours increased, and so did my wages, So I saved upa bit more each month. I dont smoke, and at this point, didnt drink much, So id say a good 80% of my expendable Income was going in my savings account.

I was lucky (some would say spoilt) When I Was a little baby, Mummy and Daddy set up a savings fund for me. When I was 17, I would get a £4,000 payout. I used this to buy a very nice 1999 Clio 1.2RN, In Gold, With 18" Wheels. It was owned by a friend, Was a very nice car. DEspite the fact I didnt even have my license, I started Ploughing my savings into it. Lexus Lights, New 17" Wheels, Lowered Suspension, Window Tints, Exhausts, Induction Kit and a £3,500 Stereo System. Bear In mind I still didnt have a license. Anyway, In my opinion, It looked great, But I had no savings left any more

Anyway, 11 months later, I passed, So I could finally Drive my pride and joy! But that meant declaring all my mods to the insurance company and paying £2700 a year, But I didnt care! Bear in mind I was only earning £900 a month at this point. Anyway, All my mates were off up the town, getting pissed, pulling slags, and I couldnt go cause I was spending all my money on my Clio. 1 Year passed a few mods changed, Carbon bonnet, Angel eyes, New System. My insurance had gone down to about £1300 now, So I could start affording to go up town etc etc. However, A taxi decided to crash into me.

Armed with my payout from my insurance, I decided to make the biggest mistake of my life, and spend £6,900 on a bodykit! Some of it was savings, some of it was a loan, But when you take int oaccount i didnt have a car for 8 months and transport etc etc, I;d imagine the bodykit cost me £7500.

Anyway, I think it looked cool, some may agree, some may not, you have all saw it but:

It was great fun, everyone looks at you, magazines email you etc etc, Great fun. However, you also get Vandals, People racing you, Police hassle, you have to ask is it worth, but My pride carried me on.

Anway, Being very low, and being Fibreglass, and being as its not as strong a "normal" car, it lasted about 6 months before it needed to have ALOT of work spending on it (touch ups, minor cracks filling etc). Also becuase I started with a 1.2 RN (the lowest model ever) I had a 1.2 8v engine with 80k on, and all hat fancy bodywork and wind down windows!

I could convert all the engine to a 2.0 set up, even fit a whole sport interior, but there has came a time in my life when I'm thinking.

WHY f**kING BOTHER!

To sum this story up, I'm now driving a 1.1 Metro Kensington (that owes me £1015 INCLUDING purchase, tax, mot, service AND INSURE), whilst the clio is sitting on my drive with a Broken engine and clutch cable, and an attrocious looking paint job! On the flip side, If I hadn't bothered "doing up" the clio up, I'd have about £15k in my bank account, no debt, and I'd be in the position now to buy a proper car OUT RIGHT. No Finance, No Loans, I'm talking buying something "proper" Like for example a Clio 182 CASH and Insuring it CASH at the age of 20.

Oh how different my life could have been. However, I'm much happier in the Metro I'm just a few years behind now, I'll be back.

So to summarise, Dont modify base models ata young age. Learn from my mistakes.

Wise words.

 

[True Original]

wow, thats a great write up, and oh SO TRUE. Many of the younger lot will read this and still go ahead of it, think about it, if someone told u all that at 17 would it have stopped u?

I had a 1.1 and was into the whole moding thing at an early age too, I'd say the best of both would be make the lower modle look like a higher model, (alloys, Interior, bumpers etc) and keep your originals so that u can put it back to std when selling it and sell the higher spec parts on again. Also go for more the ICE and speakers etc, cos u can always rip them out and stick them in ur next ride.

Nice work there fella, well done.

 

[Fletcher]

Imo modifing cars to that degree is a complete and utter waste of money. For example my sisters boyfriend had a nice little 1.4 206 Peugeot but that wasn't good enough for him and i think he spend something in the region of 16K on modifications. He's since sold the Peugeot for i presume alot less then he paid for it, and got himself a Supra god knows how much debt he's in now.

 

[kpowell911]

wow, thats a great write up, and oh SO TRUE. Many of the younger lot will read this and still go ahead of it, think about it, if someone told u all that at 17 would it have stopped u?

I had a 1.1 and was into the whole moding thing at an early age too, I'd say the best of both would be make the lower modle look like a higher model, (alloys, Interior, bumpers etc) and keep your originals so that u can put it back to std when selling it and sell the higher spec parts on again. Also go for more the ICE and speakers etc, cos u can always rip them out and stick them in ur next ride.

Nice work there fella, well done.

People said that to me at 17 though, I was adament I'd have no handles and smoothed in bumpers look where it got

Most people on here told me not to lol.

 

[earthworm]

Good thread. We've all been there wanting to go crazy on the first car we get...

BUT I wouldn't consider it as money wasted. Remember you were 17, probably best car out of your mates and at the time you felt good driving it. Its what you were into and so you spent money on it.

I would def have enough cash for a 182 now if I didn't p*ss most of it up the wall, but I'm having a good time doing it! I will no doubt look back and regret this, but hindsight is a great thing...

 

[Da]

Most people on here told me not to lol.

lol too true

 

[mij29]

Never been into moding, just bought the best car i could afford at the time.

Astra SR. 18
Astra GTE. 21
Reno 19 16v. 25
Sxo VTS. 28
Clio sport 172. 29

Good post though, you always lose £ on cars!

 

[kpowell911]

BUT I wouldn't consider it as money wasted. Remember you were 17, probably best car out of your mates and at the time you felt good driving it. Its what you were into and so you spent money on it.

Na Cause they all got standard but high level crs, VTS's, Golf GTI-180bhp models, Focus 1.8 Zetecs.

if we was all parked up I'd get all the looks yes, but mine was still only a base model clio.

 

[lanky]

I do some modding, but nothing major. Most things I change I could put back to standard.

But as others have said good post, even if it keeps bodykits of a few clio's then its been a success.

 

[jayxx83]

Unlucky mate we have all done it to some extent. Im just glad my old man used to grill the life out of me whenever I mentioned the word body kit.

Ended spunkin loads on stereo kit, which i managed to get a bit back on when i sold. Loving the 182 now! Dont worry, work hard and it will all come together, you have realised sooner than most.

 

[earthworm]

What i'm trying to say i guess is that these phase's come and go, and I don't consider cash spent while in one of the phases money wasted. For example I used to spend £100's on my mountain bike every month, true never got the money back but it was good at the time. I'm spending £100's on vinyl now, I'll never get the money back but again i'm having fun now.

This "well if i hadn't spent money on this and that..." means you'll have only spent your cash elsewhere, like going up town pulling slags! lol

 

[Maxx]

When I was 17/18 I too wanted a modded car and when I got my Cio I wanted the K-tec racing bodykit etc on it to make it look nice. Luckily I didnt go down this route. I too had a 1.2 8v but decided to go down the peformance route instead of big alloys, bodykit etc. Don't get me wrong I still like some bodykitted cars but I now prefer more subtle mods and when the engine went in my 1.2 8v I was gonna get an engine conversion and brought a donar car all ready and sense got to me that I may as well keep the donar car and stop pouring out loads of money on a 1.2

 

[S22 JGS]

i thnk modding is something you should only do if its something you really enjoy... not just to look good. As you say, its not cheap. I bought my 172 back in september i think it was for £6k.... i have spent over another £6k on it so far having things done, although that does include some repairs etc...

It all adds up very quickly, and you never get any of it back.
Its all about pride in what you drive

 

[Neil G]

Good advice

 

[clio__chris]

its just knowing when to stop

i dont see a problem with spending about £2000 doing bits to car but its when u get to that point of doing stuff to the exterior which cant be undone (like smoothing the doors) that it really affects the resale

just gotta remember its a car and its gotta be used in the real world when theres no car shows on

 

[Nebdingo]

To be fair... thats a cracking post!! well done!!

we ALL learn the hard way most of the time to be honest! but one thing ive always said, If you want a fast car... start with a fast car in the first place.

 

[Cookie]

Good post

I left my first car (1.2 Clio) alone for the 2 years I had it, then went and bought my current car (172 FF) with all the money I'd saved not modifying it

 

[kpowell911]

Good post

I left my first car (1.2 Clio) alone for the 2 years I had it, then went and bought my current car (172 FF) with all the money I'd saved not modifying it

young people of cliosport listen to this man

 

[cat171]

Good post Crazy Clio:star: may be your wise words will rub off on some others ?? If not in a few years time they'll prob look back & say the same.

I think that the biggest excuse (and reason) for people spunking shed loads of cash on under powered 1.2's etc is the fact of the insurance - What they fail to see (time & time again ) is that once you've listed all of the mods to the insurance company it will go sky high - some won't even want to know (i'm talking doing it legit) none of this undeclared rubbish hoping that you never have to make a claim.

I'm not against mods in general, but doing it to a 1.2 does seem pointless to me (all show & no go and all that)

I say - as you have & many others... Save up, sod the mods & get what you actually want with the money. Then if you fancy changing the wheels on it & lowring it etc, do it to that car, or just enjoy what you've got

 

[clio maddness]

this is so true. i made this every mistake had a 1.4 mk1 auto clio spent £2000 on bits for it. sold it at a massive loose. had an astra gsi mk3 for 3 mouths always braeking down on me. and at 18 years old got an astra gsi mk3 again but it was a 2.0 turbo 320 bhp, engine went pop after 2 weeks. now i have an escort rs turbo which has spent more time off road than a rally car lol. so i came to my sences and now have a brand new 1.2 corsa. with my rs down the side of my house rusting away.

 

[Martin]

Sticky! Wise words....glad I only spent 1k on tasteless mods on my first car lol

 

[kpowell911]

feel free to sticky

 

[madhops87]

Good advice. I had a 1.2 clio at 17 and maybe put £500 in to it. Now Im 19 and have a 182. It pays to save!

 

[Middo]

its a good post and takes balls to admit it, but like others have said its just a case of being too extreme.

i spent a fair bit of money on my 1.2, but managed to earn some of my money back, and would do it again in a flash.

but would i ever modify another car to the same standard - NO. ive learnt my lesson, its up to everyone to learn theirs.

 

[kiza1986]

Good post crazy mate...

Whats happening with the clio now then?? selling up??

Kiza

 

[16v_jon]

Wise words indeed. My car stands me at 10k including buying the car itself and looks like a normal clio! Doesnt bother me as it has everything i ever wanted in a small hatch.

PS i used to have a rover 100 kensington it was a beast

 

[edde]

Why spend he money on a CTR/182 etc though why not spend on holiday going out house etc cars are a waste of money.

 

[Clio1.4_Daz]

Do you not think it was worth it though mate? I spent alot on my first car a corsa b and I think it looked great judge for yourself:

[/IMG]

[/IMG]
But more to the point I got so much enjoyment spending time doing up my car with my mates and spending nights till the early hours fitting stuff too it. Admittedly it costs money but I think it was worth it!

 

[Tony Hunter]

If you didnt have the dream to save for you would blwn the money anyway.
I used to think the same when I started motorsport.Rallying at 18 all my money went on the car,lived on out of date pies and reduced price products from supermarkets,but hey I had bloomin goodtime and did what I wanted to do instead of IF ONLY downside I could have bought 3 houses by now.You only live once and I'm racing again now

 

[DH_GTI]

good write up there mate i saved for ages and now drive a 182 was 20 when i got it, now 21

 

[matt182]

Great write up thats very true i have never done anything like that for the same reason not worth the money you will never get it back i have a mate that spent £10.000 on the car brand new and spent £7.000 on modding it and IMHO it looks crap so i keep taking the piss saying that he could have a 182 if he didnt waste his money on stupid things

 

[*Smiley Stacey*]

I have a 16v and have just spent a bit modifying it but I wouldn't got the extent of smoothing in the bumpers etc as I hate spending money. All I'm going to do is swap my Williams interior into it and then new wheels and subtle exhaust and thats it. Next car will be a Golf Gti or something like that but going to start saving litterally as soon as I have finished buying bits for this car.

Can see what your saying though, a lot of people I know have gone mad with modifying there cars to get into mags and that but i would neve go that far it's crazy!!!

 

[salvin26]

Been there done that i bought a saxo vts back in the day i payed £8000 for it. I then spent another £7000 doing it up to cut a long story short when i came to sell it i got £6500 from some little gimp his daddy bought it for him cash, he didnt have it long as he crashed it and wrote it off seven days later racing around nottingham city centre.

 

[mini-valver]

Ive spent around £2000 on mine so far and spending that agin on some engine mods but it puts a smile on my face so i dont care! In a ear or so will probably get a 197 or a vee and modify that subtly. Im never ever going to do this again once i get a house/family etc so why not?!? Ive learned alot in the process too! You earn it why not spemd it, be it wisely or not........

 

[BlackClio16v]

couldnt agree with you more.....spent 15k on my clio and its a pile of s**t!

indicators not working....other electrics slowly going.....every bump sees another bit of fibreglass fall off!

cant wait to get rid and get a new car